Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
RATIONALE: Basic to health education is a foundation of knowledge about the interrelationship of behavior and health, interactions within the human body, and the prevention of disease and other health problems. Experiencing physical, mental, emotional and social changes as one grows and develops, provides a self-contained learning laboratory. Comprehension of health-promotion strategies and disease prevention concepts enables students to become health-literate, self-directed learners which establishes a foundation for leading a healthy and productive life.
Standard 2: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid health information and health-promoting products and services.
RATIONALE: Accessing valid health information and health-promoting products and services is important in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of most health problems. Critical thinking involves the ability to identify valid health information and to analyze, select and access health-promoting services and products. Applying the skills of information analysis, organization, comparison, synthesis, and evaluation to health issues provides a foundation for individuals to move toward becoming health literate and responsible, productive citizens.
Standard 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks.
RATIONALE: Research confirms that many diseases and injuries can be prevented by reducing harmful and risk-taking behaviors. More importantly, recognizing and practicing health-enhancing behaviors can contribute to a positive quality of life. Strategies used to maintain and improve positive health behaviors will utilize knowledge and skills that help students become critical thinkers and problem solvers. By accepting responsibility for personal health, students will have a foundation for living a healthy, productive life.
Standard 4: Students will analyze the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health.
RATIONALE: Health is influenced by a variety of factors that co-exist within society. These include cultural context as well as media and technology. A critical thinker and problem solver is able to analyze, evaluate, and interpret the influence of these factors on health. The health-literate, responsible and productive citizen draws upon the contributions of culture, media, technology, and other factors to strengthen individual, family and community health.
Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
RATIONALE: Personal, family and community health are enhanced through effective communication. A responsible individual will use verbal and non-verbal skills in developing and maintaining healthy personal relationships. Ability to organize and convey information, beliefs, opinions and feelings are skills which strengthen interactions and can reduce or avoid conflict. When communication, individuals who are health literate demonstrate care, consideration and respect for self and others.
Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting and decision-making skills to enhance health.
RATIONALE: Decision-making and goal-setting are essential lifelong skills needed in order to implement and sustain health-enhancing behaviors. These skills make it possible for individuals to transfer health knowledge into healthy lifestyles. When applied to health issues, decision-making and goal-setting skills will enable individuals to collaborate with others to improve the quality of life in their families, schools and communities.
Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.
RATIONALE: Quality of life is dependent on an environment that protects and promotes the health of individuals, families and communities. Responsible citizens, who are health literate, are characterized by advocating and communicating for positive health in their communities. A variety of health advocacy skills are critical to these activities.